In the ten years I have lived in the Tidewater Area of Virginia I have seen four hurricanes make the Top 30 Costliest U.S. Hurricanes 1900-2004 list as prepared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Of course my Floyd and Isabel are considered insignificant to the now infamous Katrina and Rita, but like every one else in the United States I still have an opinion. \r\n\r\nJohn D. Rockefeller said that he “always tried to turn every disaster into an opportunity.” The weeks following September 11, 2001 were a prime example of how our country turned a disaster into an opportunity to show to the world that the American spirit was alive and well. Unfortunately the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq divided our reunited sense of pride so fiercely that even relatively clear cut issues such as a hurricane evacuation became political nightmares. \r\n\r\nI use the phrase “clear cut” for a few reasons. If a hurricane is coming towards you, move. I don’t stand in a busy street waiting for a truck to hit me. People often forget that hurricanes, despite how bad they can be, they are just storms. We can predict them, we can track them, and we can measure the basic patters that they all make. \r\n\r\nWe largely forget this because of the wonderful coverage provided by Fox News and CNN. Their hellish and sensational portrayals of hurricanes that have become merely weapons in the ratings war and no longer depict actual news. They drown viewers with heart wrenching stories and horrifying tales for their own political agendas. And it worked. People became so enthralled in the emotion of the situation and were so eager to place blame on someone that they allowed their hearts, not their heads, to answer their most basic questions: \r\n\r\nWhose fault was the hurricane?\r\nWhy was there not an evacuation until after Katrina hit?\r\nWhy was it the fault of the federal government?\r\n\r\nHere are my humble answers to these popular questions:\r\n\r\n“Whose fault was the hurricane?” It was no ones fault. It was a storm you idiot. Believe me, I am truly sorry to debunk eager conspiracy theorists who claim that the government has a “hurricane controlling machine” buried in Cheyenne Mountain. It was the fault of thunder storms building off the western coast of Africa, traveling west, developing a counterclockwise spin due to the rotation of the earth, and extreme strengthening do to the unusually warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. End of story. \r\n\r\nI realize that the person was probably asking about the evacuation or readiness, but if someone is going to enter a serious discussion, please do not have such sloppy questions. The next time someone utters that question during an intelligent discussion about Katrina I will throw a science book at them.\r\n\r\n“Why was there not an evacuation until after Katrina hit?” Ah yes, the heart of the issue. As a person who has been evacuated for a hurricane my only sensible reply is: I have no idea.\r\n\r\nMy lack of insight into an answer for this question is further compounded when the situation is viewed from the eyes of those who lived it. I live in a home that is below sea level. My home would normally be underwater if it wasn’t for man made dams. So far all hurricanes that entered the Gulf of Mexico this season dramatically strengthened and a category 5 hurricane has now formed and is heading in my general direction. \r\n\r\nThe average person shouldn’t have to wait for the evacuation order from their state and local governments. If they do, then it’s their own fault. I’m not sure how, but apparently self pity and inaction has replaced self initiative and common sense. Simply watching the Weather Channel several days prior to it hitting was more than enough to warn individuals that they needed to prepare. Notice the use of the word “individuals.” It is the responsibilities of the individual to prepare when they feel that their lives are endangered, not the state and local governments. \r\n\r\n“Why was it the fault of the federal government?” It wasn’t. To fully explain this rather brash answer, let’s take a look at your average hurricane in Florida. When a hurricane hits in Florida, Andrew included, the federal government plays the roll of providing information to state and local decision makers via the National Weather service. Prior to it hitting, this is the only thing they will do. After the fact, they will aid in rescue and clean up of the area. \r\n\r\nNow I was in Virginia when Katrina hit and knew it was coming. I’m willing to bet that the City of New Orleans knew it was coming too. The Government providing information: mission accomplished. I’m not sure how many billions congress has given in aid for the clean up, but I am well aware of the images of people being airlifted from outside the Superdome. Provide aid and rescue after the fact: mission accomplished. \r\n\r\nThe government didn’t anticipate having to sustain the entire City of New Orleans for several months, only a handful of refugees. The only reason why they had to was because the City of New Orleans allowed dams to be built and for developers to build homes underwater. It’s not the fault of the federal government that millions of people were allowed to live below sea level. They simply don’t have jurisdiction or the right to say where people can or cannot live. The city government does. \r\n\r\nSo if the federal government didn’t fail, who did? The individuals who were most directly affected failed. They and the people they elected for leadership, i.e. the city government of New Orleans. Why do I, as a tax payer, have to pay for someone to live while water is being pumped out of their below sea level neighborhood? Of course aid needs to be given. Of course it requires the strength and ability of the federal government. But why did no one feel that responsibility lay with the people who lived it? Is it simply because they were the ones who had to suffer? That’s fine, but why did the city allow them to live under sea level any ways? And why didn’t they leave before the hurricane hit? If I break my leg because I walk into traffic, am I going to get the sympathy of the town while the mayor is chastised? Probably not. And to be quite harsh, if they didn’t have the foresight to see this as a problem, then allow me to conclude by saying Darwinism is alive and well.\r\n